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Important Notices

The House will resume on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Please be advised that the Second Session of the Sixty-third General Assembly will resume on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Province House 200th Anniversary

On February 11, 2019, the province will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House.

To celebrate the anniversary a number of public events and activities are being planned and a new logo has been designed that represents Province House’s architecture and unique details. Information about the logo and upcoming events will be posted on the NS Legislature website as it becomes available.

News Releases

Nova Scotians Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Province House

On Feb. 11, Nova Scotia will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House in Halifax.

Province House has been the permanent home of the House of Assembly since 1819. As the oldest legislative building in Canada, it has long served as a cultural asset for its rich history and unique architecture.

"Province House is the symbolic home for all Nova Scotians and the centre of our democratic process," said Speaker Kevin Murphy. "The 200th anniversary of Province House allows Nova Scotians to reflect on our shared values and achievements as a province, both past and present."

To celebrate the anniversary, public events and activities are being planned through the year. The first event will take place on Feb. 7 when Symphony Nova Scotia premières a specially composed Province House fanfare. This debut will occur at Symphony Nova Scotia's Faure and Ravel concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. Tickets for this concert can be purchased at the Dalhousie Arts Centre.

Nova Scotians are also invited to attend the Province House Concert Series, which begins on Feb. 13 with Old Man Leudecke. Other concerts will include Karen Myatt, Daniel Matto and Holly Arsenault in March, Rhapsody Quintet in May, and Danbee Ko (piano), Mark Lee (violin) and Shimon Walt (cello) in June. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Red Chamber.

On February 11th, Nova Scotia will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House in Halifax.

To celebrate the anniversary, public events and activities are being planned through the year. The first event will take place on February 7th when Symphony Nova Scotia premières a specially composed Province House fanfare. This debut will occur at Symphony Nova Scotia's Faure and Ravel concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. Tickets can be purchased from the Dalhousie University Arts Centre. Nova Scotians are also invited to attend the Province House Concert Series. The first concert, taking place on February 13th, will feature Old Man Leudecke.

For more information about upcoming events, please visit the legislature website.

Portrait Unveiled of First NDP Premier

A portrait of the first NDP premier of Nova Scotia was unveiled today, Nov. 27, in the legislative chamber of Province House in Halifax.

Darrell Dexter was premier from 2009 to 2013. The portrait installation represents the historical significance of the NDP forming government in 2009.

"I thank Premier Stephen McNeil and House of Assembly Speaker Kevin Murphy for this honour,” said Mr. Dexter. “I am humbly aware that this portrait installation honours the contribution of thousands of women and men over many decades. I was the first NDP leader to become premier, but politics is a team endeavour."

The portrait joins those of many prominent figures including Wayne Adams, the first African Nova Scotian to be elected to the House of Assembly and the first African Nova Scotian member of the executive council, and Gladys Porter the first woman elected to the House of Assembly in 1960.

“Throughout Province House we have artwork on display that showcases the historical timeline of the province,” said Mr. Murphy. “The addition of a portrait of Nova Scotia’s first NDP premier provides the opportunity to recognize the achievement of Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party, led by Mr. Dexter.”

Province House to Celebrate 200th Anniversary

The 260th anniversary of the House of Assembly, making it the oldest elected assembly in Canada and one of the oldest in the Commonwealth was marked today, Oct. 2, by speaker Kevin Murphy.

“The House of Assembly met for the first time in the courthouse at the corner of Argyle and Buckingham streets in Halifax,” said Mr. Murphy. “After a succession of temporary accommodations, construction began on a permanent building in 1811 and the legislature met for the first time on February 11, 1819, in the building we are in now, Province House.”

On Feb. 11, 2019 the province will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House.

"Great effort has been made in recent years to protect and maintain Province House as the symbolic home of all Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Murphy. “The anniversary will emphasize its role in the constitutional evolution of Canada, its rich history and unique architecture, and its continuity as the seat of government and an important cultural asset to the province.”

Province House is one of the most historic buildings in Canada. During the 175th anniversary in 1994 Province House was commemorated as a National Historic Site when Queen Elizabeth II visited, and was cited for both its architectural and historical significance.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The 260th anniversary of the House of Assembly was marked today (October 2nd) by speaker Kevin Murphy.

On February 11, 2019 the province will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House.

To celebrate the anniversary a number of public events and activities are being planned and a new logo has been designed that represents Province House’s architecture and unique details. Information about the logo and upcoming events will be posted on the NS Legislature website as it becomes available.

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